The Blackhawks​​ are trying to give two prospects who could use fresh starts new homes at the trade deadline.

Chicago is shopping forward Mark McNeill and defenseman Ville Pokka leading up to Wednesday afternoon’s NHL trade deadline, according to a source.

The 24-year-old McNeill, a 2011 first-round draft pick, was once considered a top prospect by the Blackhawks, but has been passed over by other prospects for call-ups in recent seasons. McNeill averaged 20-plus goals the previous three seasons. His production has dropped this season, and he has six goals and 22 assists in 58 games.

McNeill is in his fourth season with the IceHogs. He re-signed for one year prior to the current season and will be a restricted free agent following the 2016-17 season.

Ville Pokka has only appeared in the preseason for the Blackhawks. (Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports)

Pokka, 22, was acquired by the Blackhawks as part of the Nick Leddy trade with the New York Islanders in 2014. Pokka has led the IceHogs’ defensemen in ice time and points the past two seasons, but has failed to move up the organization’s depth chart and has yet to make his NHL debut. His road to the NHL this season was blocked when the Blackhawks decided to re-sign Michal Rozsival, sign Michal Kempny from the KHL and keep Gustav Forsling in North America.

Pokka had 10 goals and 35 assists in 76 games last season and has four goals and 19 assists in 58 games this season. He is in his third season with the IceHogs. His entry-level contract will expire after this season and he’ll become a restricted free agent.

The Blackhawks have often moved players who have been with the organization for multiple years and don’t appear to have a future in the NHL with the team. In recent years, the Blackhawks traded Jeremy Morin and Brandon Pirri after lengthy stays with the IceHogs.

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Scott Powers is the lead hockey writer for The Athletic Chicago. Previously, he covered the Blackhawks and the White Sox for ESPN Chicago. He has also written for the Daily Herald and the Chicago Sun-Times and has been a sportswriter in the Chicagoland area for the past 15 years. Follow Scott on Twitter @byscottpowers.